18th centuryThe low bulbous body rising to a tall trumpet neck, set to each side with angular monster-mask handles, finely cast in intricate detail to depict four phoenix amidst dense peony scrolls, with a border of pendent lappets at the neck, all against a ring-punched ground, the base inset with circular copper panel inscribed with Tibetan characters encircling a central floret with yin-yang motif. 39.4cm (15½in) high

Footnotes

Bronze vases such as this are rare, and no similar example appears to have been published. The dense design of phoenix amidst peonies is reminiscent of earlier Yuan Dynasty lacquerware. The inset brass base is also equally intriguing, however a related base can be seen on a Qianlong mark and period carved cinnabar lacquer alms bowl, also inscribed with Tibetan script, illustrated by D.Clifford, Chinese Carved Lacquer, London, 1992, p.127, pl.101a and b.

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